Chapter Twenty Two:
Byakuya groaned as he opened his eyes, his head was throbbing uncomfortably but his body felt light. Lifting his head from the pillows, he rubbed his eyes and glanced around. He was still in Ichigo's private room in Division Four, the colours and smells were the same but there was distinctively vibrant orange missing. He was alone.
Sliding carefully from the bed, he felt his stomach churn. He doubled over, retching as bile twanged against his taste buds. Everything felt slightly off. Just a little different. Was this truly Ichigo's Inner World? Or had something gone amiss with the Kidō?
Using the wall for support, Byakuya straightened, wincing as the light overhead seemed just a little too bright. Swallowing hard, gulping back the rare flash of nerves he felt tickling around the edges of his senses, the raven haired nobleman took a step forwards.
The world lurched, immediately rising up against him and thrusting him backwards. He crashed into the wall as the room seemed to roll, spinning around until he was clutching desperately onto the ceiling, head swirling with confusion as he tried to follow and understand the wild oscillation.
If this truly was Ichigo's Inner World, were these wild antics a side effect of his failing Soul?
Pushing himself back onto his feet, Byakuya stood cautiously, uncertain if the world would drop again when he moved. He took a step forwards, half expecting to plummet back down onto the floor and break a bone or two upon impact. However, when he found that he was able to walk without falling he grew in confidence and took a few more steps. He made it to the door without further incident and slipped outside into the waiting corridor he knew was beyond.
His knees struck a hard wooden floor without warning and Byakuya's eyes widened as he looked around. No longer in Division Four, he instead found himself on the outskirts of a comfortable looking living area. He could see every inch of the large, spacious room. Two comfortable couches sat either side of a coffee table, a huge bookshelf filled an entire alcove in the corner and the en-suite kitchen looked like any other he had seen. Perfectly normal.
Habitually brushing his uniform down as he rose, he squinted as the room shifted to accommodate a sudden surge of people within. Byakuya's eyes widened, striding further into the room as he watched Kūkaku Shiba saunter past him teasing her little brother Ganju. They looked younger than he recalled them appearing the last time he'd seen them.
Kūkaku's bright green-blue eyes were wide and full of excitement, messy black hair trailing down her back, barely contained by the bandages she wore like a crown. Both arms were intact, telling him that this was closer to twenty years ago, or somewhere close to that.
One of her arms was slung casually around Ganju's shoulders, he appeared little more than a teenager, eyebrows not nearly as bushy and form far thinner, not unhealthily but more taut and toned. He was spitting curses at his sister until she shoved him down onto one of the couches.
Glancing around as he heard a familiar voice, he felt his throat constrict at the sight of Kaien Shiba. He knew how much it had hurt Rukia to lose her mentor and friend, he had died only shortly after her graduation into Division Thirteen. Seeing him alive and well now was unexpected.
The former Fukutaichou of Division Thirteen was coming down the stairs with a wide grin on his face, carrying a young boy on his shoulders. The boy couldn't have been more than three or four, with a shock of orange hair and warm chestnut eyes.
Ichigo.
The noble couldn't help but let out a stuttered gasp at the sight of him. He was so young, so free and small, at peace with the world and everything around him. Happy. His fingers dug into Kaien's hair, tugging affectionately as he pointed excitedly at Miyako, Kaien's wife. He was handed over for the cuddle, small arms wrapping around her neck contentedly as he stuck his tongue out at Ganju.
'What is the meaning of all this?' Byakuya thought with a frown, 'I don't understand the relevance. How did Ichigo know the Shiba Clan? He was raised in the World of the Living... This doesn't look like the Shiba Estate, it looks like a normal house...'
Pots and pans were knocked noisily together in the kitchen space, and Byakuya's eyes narrowed as they came to rest on a tall man with spiky black hair and a grazing of stubble who was standing lazily with an arm slung around the petite shoulders of a pretty young woman. She had a wave of spice coloured hair, her heart shaped face glowed with joy as her hands gently rubbed over the prominent bump barely hidden under her clothes. She was heavily pregnant, most likely the reason for the man's brilliantly proud grin.
He knew those faces. His expression dropping as he recalled the news article he'd found in Karakura town. These were Ichigo's parents. Isshin and Masaki. She must have been carrying his little sisters, Karin and Yuzu. They looked so happy, full of life and love and laughter. Content with their place in the world.
Swallowing, Byakuya felt a scratch of recognition in the back of his skull as he stared at the grin on dark haired man's face. Isshin Kurosaki. He was certain he'd seen that face before, younger and more serious. Lacking the stubble. It was a distant memory, hard to focus on as he watched the scene. It was strange to see nobility mingling with Humans, he couldn't work out why it was happening. How did Ichigo, how did his parents, know the Shiba Clan?
Time seemed to move faster as he thought about it, he watched as the group ate together and played games together on the coffee table. Poker mostly, but snap too at some point for Ichigo's entertainment. The chatter between them seemed almost familial, they were close.
It was only when Ichigo had been taken to bed and Masaki, Miyako and Ganju had retired that Kaien, Kūkaku and Isshin sat together around the coffee table. The atmosphere seemed to change and Isshin's carefree smile disappeared like springtime rain. He was serious, moody, on edge.
"Has there been news?" He asked, voice low.
"Nothing yet." Kaien replied, sitting forwards with his elbows on his knees, "I expected something by now, anything and yet there's only silence. They all believe you to be dead, even now."
Isshin rubbed his chin thoughtfully, eyes darkening, "And Aizen?"
Byakuya frowned, Isshin knew of Soul Society, knew about Aizen. Who was this man?
"He's still moving. Slowly, a little more cautiously since the incident with you but... Souls are still disappearing from Rukongai. The homeless, the poor, thugs... People who won't be missed. But... Some Shinigami too. Unseated, barely out of Shino." The Fukutaichou sighed, dropping his head into his hands, "But without any solid evidence there's nothing I can do... Just keep watching... Waiting... Hoping he'll make a mistake."
"I'm sorry you have to bear this burden Kaien." The older man's expression turned regretful, "Had I been more careful..."
"It is my duty as Fukutaichou, and temporary Clan Head to do this duty in your place. You did everything you could while it was your responsibility to bear, let me carry the weight until Ichigo is ready."
"Will he ever be ready?" Kūkaku asked, arm thrown over the back of the couch, "Raising him as a Human... Isshin is it really wise? How are you going to explain it to him when he's older? When he has no choice but to-"
"His reiatsu is already growing." Kaien interrupted his younger sister, "I can sense it, he's strong. He'll only grow stronger as he ages. At the very least, this way he can grow up safely until he's old enough and strong enough to deal with what Seireitei will be like. What Aizen will be like."
"I wish things didn't have to be this way," Isshin folded his arms, frowning, "But Aizen forced my hand. I can't be sure if he believes I'm dead or if he's pretending. Either way, I can't allow my family to come to harm because of it."
"And what about this family?!" Kūkaku got to her feet sharply, "What about us? The Clan is falling apart without you Uncle, despite all Kaien's good deeds the Elders want more. They know he isn't the real heir, they can see it in his Clan tattoos."
Byakuya let out a sharp breath, everything suddenly making sense all at once. Covering his mouth with his hand, the noble lowered his gaze, not entirely sure he could believe his ears. Was this true? Was this... Real? Was Ichigo...
"Of course he is." The Kuchiki heir whispered to himself, "All along... I've known something was amiss. Why didn't I see it before? Sense it in his reiatsu? How couldn't I see how much he looks like Kaien."
And Isshin, he knew why he seemed so familiar. He had met the Taichou of Division Ten only once as a child, at the behest of his grandfather. Isshin Shiba was as formidable as he was talented. But when had he changed his name? When had he left Soul Society? He faintly recalled hearing of his death, a Hollow attack, an ambush while on a mission in the World of the Living. But there had been no body to mourn or celebrate the life of. He had simply disappeared.
All along the answers were right under his nose. How had he been so blind? Ichigo was nobility. But he was more than that. He was the heir to the Shiba Clan. Kaien had been a placeholder, a temporary solution to the problem of Ichigo's age and Humanity. It sounded as if Aizen had a hand in the reason for Isshin's new identity. How long had that man been meddling with Ichigo's life?
Turning sharply, Byakuya decided he had lingered too long. He had to progress. He had to find the real Ichigo, had to get him out of his Inner World. There would be a time for answers later.
"Don't leave me." The voice was small, innocent and Byakuya turned around slowly to meet wide brown eyes.
Ichigo was clinging onto his uniform, bottom lip protruding out moodily as he stared upwards, a soft whine escaping him.
Swallowing hard, Byakuya crouched down and rested his hand on the child form of his Third Seat, "I'm not leaving you, not really. I'm trying to find you." He said gently.
"But I'm right here... You don't have to find me." The child's pout grew more pronounced.
"I'm afraid I do have to find you. You see, you are in danger, and I need to help you. But this place is... Hard to navigate." He kept his voice light, he didn't want to scare the boy, "I think... I need to get deeper, find the core of this world but... I don't know how. It's nothing like my Inner World."
"Like a puzzle?" Ichigo tilted his head to the side cutely.
Byakuya was momentarily dazzled by the child's absolute innocence, he seemed so different to the Ichigo he knew. So unharmed, untouched. Pure and honest. Excited by everything and terrified of nothing. Knowing that his family's murder had twisted him so violently away from his beginnings was painful to see. He wondered how different Ichigo would be, if his life had progressed normally. Would he still be Human? Living in Karakura town with a wife or husband, maybe children of his own. Would he be a doctor? A lawyer? A bartender?
He couldn't imagine Ichigo as anything other than what he was. A soldier. A warrior. A fighter. But how different he might have been.
"I think it is exactly like a puzzle, yes." He said finally, offering a smile to the child Ichigo, "Do you have any ideas of how I can win? I'm frightfully bad at puzzles."
"I shouldn't really tell you... I'm not meant to..." The boy frowned, but it was momentary and his bright smile soon shone again, "I'll tell you anyway! It's like a big game. I love games, did you know?"
"I did not know that." He whispered.
"I like feeling safe... Secure... I can't sleep with the light off or I have nightmares. But mum is always there to keep me safe! A hug, a kiss, a story. She never minds how many times I wake her. Being safe... It's like being wrapped up in lots of blankets!"
"Like a cocoon." Byakuya said.
"Exactly!" Ichigo beamed, clapping his hands together happily.
"Layers of protection... Keeping safe what is at the heart." The Kuchiki heir was beginning to understand, "Peel back the layers and eventually I will reach the core."
"Wow you're smart Mister." The child's eyes were big and surprised.
"I couldn't have worked it out without your help, thank you Ichigo." He brushed his fingers through the far less wild locks of orange hair the child sported, smiling faintly, "I have to go now. I need to start peeling back those layers."
"Okay! Bye Mister!"
"I'll see you soon, Ichigo." He promised quietly as he watched the younger version of his Third Seat fade from sight like a ghost, along with the scene of Kaien, Kūkaku and Isshin.
Surrounded in darkness, Byakuya felt a swell of pity at the thought that Ichigo most likely had no idea of his true heritage. He likely couldn't remember Kūkaku, Kaien or Ganju. He had been so young. He had no idea how special he was. Or how much he had been loved. Aizen had a lot to answer for.
Flinching at the surge of anger he felt at the thought, Byakuya clenched his fists, heart aching. Ichigo could have lived a normal life. He could have had everything he wanted. Instead that man had burst in uninvited and ruined it all with no right to do so. It was cruel. Cold. Just like Aizen himself.
The ground gave out beneath his feet with no warning, plunging him into the blackness. He let out a cry of surprise, but screaming was beneath him. He had to trust that he wouldn't come to harm by merely peeling back the layers of Ichigo's defences. He had to trust in Ichigo.
He landed on his back, the impact knocked the breath from his lungs but he recovered quickly, staring up at the bright blue sky now overhead. He sat up carefully, the Kurosaki residence was long gone, and instead he found himself in an open field. The grass was growing tall, easily up to his waist. The pollen made his nose itch.
Padding through the grass, he allowed his fingers to stretch out, brushing against the stems as he passed them. His eyes were keen and he could tell there was a patch of grass not too far ahead which had been flattened. He aimed for that spot, hoping to find some clue to help his progression.
A frown formed on his face as he came to see two people laid back on a blanket, there was a hamper of food and wine holding down one corner. One of the people was easily recognisable, with dark brown hair which was mostly swept back off his face, except for a disobedient strand which hung between his eyes. Aizen.
The other was... Well, sunset shades of hair made Ichigo easy to recognise. Byakuya's insides twisted into knots as he watched the brunet lean down and placate the strawberry with a passionate kiss. The action drew a reluctant growl from the nobleman and he found himself unable to halt his movements. Pushing aside the last tufts of grass as he entered the clearing, the sound drawing the attention of both men.
Ichigo's face was beetroot red as he almost seemed to spring away from Aizen, "Kuchiki Taichou! W-What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you." It wasn't a lie, "What are you doing with Aizen?"
The strawberry spluttered for a moment, arms folding indignantly over his chest, "I am spending the day with my lover. What's so surprising about that?"
"Your lover?" He repeated in disbelief, "Ichigo..."
"Kuchiki Taichou if you have no business here might I suggest you leave us to enjoy ourselves in peace." Aizen's voice was a perfect mimic of the real thing, "This isn't a spectators sport."
Watching as Aizen's arms slid around the younger man, it was like watching a small animal drawn into a snake's nest. Ichigo looked uncomfortable, but whether that was because of Aizen or the intrusion Byakuya wasn't sure.
"Ichigo, please try to think. Try to remember. Aizen betrayed Soul Society. Betrayed you. He's dangerous. This isn't you. This isn't what you wanted." The nobleman's voice was even despite the chaos in his heart, "Try to remember what you stand for."
"Ignore him Ichi," Aizen's eyes were narrowed as he scowled at the Shinigami, "He's just jealous. He knows he can never understand you the way I do. Forget about him. He's irrelevant."
"W-What... What are you talking about?" The strawberry frowned in clear confusion, eyes flicking between the two men.
The raven haired man took a sharp step forwards, hands shaking at his sides, "This is a trick, Ichigo. It's not real. You must break free. Remember your truth. Remember your resolve."
"Shut up... Both of you..." Ichigo flinched, pulling away from Aizen.
"Ichi... You don't need to fret. He's just trying to cause trouble."
The strawberry got to his feet, but just as he backed away from Aizen he was also backing away from Byakuya, "Stop talking. I... I'm confused..."
Licking his lips, Byakuya tried to soften his expression, "You saved Rukia... She survived because of you. I survived because of you. You won. You don't need to hide anymore."
Aizen was on his feet, anger flashing in his eyes, "Stop trying to steal him from me, he knows where he truly belongs. Who truly matters. Your meddling has gone on long enough Kuchiki. Enough."
"He isn't a possession you can tuck in your pocket for your own entertainment Aizen." He growled.
"He is mine." Was the simple reply.
"I am not yours." Ichigo's tone was livid as he stared at Aizen's back, "I'm not an object you show ownership of! I'm a living, breathing person! You don't own me!"
"I made you!" Aizen snapped.
Realisation seemed to cross the strawberry's face and his lips parted in surprise, "No... No you didn't... You destroyed me. Destroyed my family. My life. Took ownership when you had no right. You ruined me! Who do you think you are?!"
The scene distorted as Ichigo seemed to remember himself, Aizen's form contorting and fading as if defeated. The strawberry stared at the empty space in disbelief, shoulders slumping.
"Ichigo?" Byakuya tilted his head cautiously.
"You shouldn't be here." The young man muttered, "It's dangerous."
"Of course I'm here. I'm here to help you."
"I know, I remember you saying... No... You didn't say that to me... That was..." Ichigo's brow furrowed.
Feeling a rush of disappointment, Byakuya realised that this wasn't the real Ichigo. Just like the child form, it was another layer, another puzzle, another game. Despite looking and sounding more like the beautiful creature he knew, it wasn't him. He needed information.
"Does part of Ichigo's Soul still desire Sōsuke Aizen? Is that the shame which chains him here?" He asked.
Sighing softly, the Ichigo that wasn't entirely Ichigo shrugged, "In part, I don't think that desire will ever leave us entirely. We were dependant on him for so long... But in truth what we desire the most is to be needed. Aizen wanted us for our strength, our potential, our deviance and provided us with a purpose. Something to fuel our life in the wake of emotionless mediocrity. That purpose is gone now... No one needs us... We are a monster..."
The way this fake Ichigo spoke was confusing. Why did he say 'we' and 'us' instead of 'I'? Why did it sound like there was more than one of them? Shaking his head, Byakuya couldn't bare to hear the way he spoke, whether confusing or not, it was heartbreaking to hear such defeat.
"That's not true!" He exclaimed, taking a step forwards, "That couldn't be less true! You are needed! By Rukia, and Renji... Your friends... By... By me... You're not a monster, you've never been a monster... You can't truly think that..."
Chestnut eyes softened as they met steel, "It's kind of you to say so but... I know the truth."
"You do... But Ichigo doesn't?" He asked.
He had an inkling. A small lingering thought that scratched at his skull like a nagging warning. After all, Ichigo wasn't the only person living inside his Soul, was he?
"Of course not. How could he, it would break him. I can't let it break him... Can't let it..." The not-Ichigo began pacing, "It would hurt him too badly to realise the truth... To know how much of a monster he was... The reason Aizen wanted him... His potential..."
"He's not a monster." Byakuya said again.
Warm eyes began to grow cold as they bore into his skull, "You don't know of what you speak."
The Division Six Taichou tensed, swallowing the sudden lump in his throat as the not-Ichigo stalked towards him, brown turned gold. Glittering, beautiful, dangerous. White turned black. Byakuya felt a sweat break out across his skin and he took a step back without meaning to.
"You want to know us? I'll show you us." The not-Ichigo with golden eyes lashed out suddenly, palms smacking into Byakuya's chest, throwing him backwards with a strength he'd never have expected.
The world shifted around him, flipping and twisted, winding and flowing, altering and blending in a mesh he couldn't make out. Byakuya was sure he vomited at some point during the exchange, his stomach releasing musky tastes of bile and acid, the tang scorching his tongue.
He slammed against a wall, bouncing off it with the force and instead found himself in the awkward position of being at the feet of none other than Sōsuke Aizen himself.
"Shit." He breathed.
